Belgium’s Walloon Region has suspended two export licences for the export of gunpowder to Israel. The Walloon local government minister Christophe Collignon (Francophone Socialist/PS) told the Walloon parliament the licences had been granted to munitions factory PB Clermont in Engis (Liège), in early 2023. The gunpowder was to be shipped out to Israel via the Flemish port of Antwerp, but did not have Israel as final destination.
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Two export licences for ammunitions for Israel put on hold
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The munitions were bound for the Israeli port city of Ashdod, close to the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s defense force is involved in a war with Hamas that runs Gaza but is on the EU’s terrorist list.
The official documents that form the basis for any Walloon decision to export the munitions do not have the Israeli defense force as the final destination. The gunpowder was intended to be exported further to other European Union countries as well as Belgium and the United States after processing.
While the export complies with Walloon law, the Walloon prime minister Elio Di Rupo (Francophone socialist) nevertheless decided to suspend the current licences. Minister Collignon, who was standing in for Mr Di Rupo in the Walloon parliament yesterday, says this decision was prompted by the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Late last month, the ICJ slammed Israel over its actions in the war against Hamas. The court ordered Israel to take all possible measures to avoid genocide.